Diego Maradona on Monday backed FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, a day before world football’s powerful governing council faces a key decision on the issue. “It sounds like a fantastic idea to me,” the 56-year-old, who inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986, told reporters at FIFA’s Zurich headquarters. Former French international David Trezeguet said more World Cup berths could give “possibilities to countries and especially players who have never experienced this beautiful competition”, while acknowledging that details still needed to be worked out. The influential European Clubs Association, led by German great Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, has come out against an enlarged World cup, citing football’s overloaded calendar. The influential council will review five proposals on Tuesday: leaving the World Cup unchanged at 32 teams, two proposals for a 40-team competition and two 48-team scenarios.

Source: Hindustan Times January 09, 2017 15:51 UTC